Umbrella



D ec. 18, 1928. v 1,695,826

F. E. SINCERE UMBRELLA Filed June 6. 1922 INVENTOR. FRANK 1-:. JINFERE.

Patented Dec. 18, 1928.

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FRANK E. SINCERE, OF MOUNI VERNO1\T, NEW YORK.

UMBRELLA.

Application filed June 6,

This invention relatos to umbrellas, and one of the objects of the invention is to pro vide an umbrella of unusually inexpensive construction which is intended for use for emergency purposes.

Another object of the invention is to provide an umbrella in which the supporting ribs are formed as an integral part of the cover, the cover then being mounted on the usual stick and beinmcapable of distension or collapse in the ordinary manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide an umbrella of inexpensive construction in which the cover is formed of a suitably treated fabric constructed of a plurality of gores in the Ordinary manner, these gores being united along their overlying edges by cementing or pasting, and'being provided with ribs which are attached to the cover throughout their length in the operation by which the cover is formed.

Another object of the invention is to provide an umbrella having a cover of an inelastic material and made up of a plurality of gores, these gores being so pref ormed as to give the cover its ordinary domo-like shape when the cover is distended, there being also provided a plurality of ribs which form an integral part of the cover.

Another object of the invention is to provide an umbrella havinga cover formed of an inelastic material constructed of a plurality of gores, these gores being preformed se that when held tant, the cover will have the usual domo-like form with an indentd peripheral margin, the cover also eing provided with ribs forming an integralpart of the same, such ribs being disposed in the cover along the lines of union of the gores.

Other objects and aims of the invention, more or less specific than those referred to above, will be in part obvious and in part pointed out in the course of the following description of the elements, combinations, arrangements of parts and applications of principles constituting the invention; and the scope of protection contemplated will be indicated in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing wherein I have shown several embodiments of my invention: b

Figure 1 illustrates an umbrella constructed after my new and improved methods with a part of the top broken away;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the detail of the cover. mounting 1922. Serial No. 566,402.

Figure 3 is a top-plan view of the parts illustrated in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of ailfl0dl: fied form of cover mounting showing the cover in extended position;

Figure 5 is a view similar to ing the cover collapsed;

Figure 6 is a view in perspeotive showing the means by which the ribs are attached to the stretchers;

Figure 7 is a detailed perspective view of the attaching means;

Figure 8 is a view in perspective of a de tail of one form of rib construction; V

vFigure 9 is a perspective view in detail showing the rib in place in the cover;

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9, but showing another form of rib construction;

Figure 11 is a view in cross-section showing the means by which the stretchers are mounted on the runner; and

Figure 12 is a view in perspective showing the runner with the attached stretchers.

With reference now to the drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the views thereof, the reference character 1 designates a stick provided with a handle 2 of any form. This Figure 4 showstick may be constructed of wood or light metal in the usual manner.

Near the end opposite the handle is to be mounted a cover 3 which is to be constructed preferably of fabric. r

The cover is formed of a fabric or of a lee-made inelastie in the water-shedding or water-proofing process. As 1s shown, the

top is composed of a plurality of gores 4, 4,

these gores being constructed in the manner set forth in the application referred to. The gores are to be formed by cutting from a sheet of material and are given a shield-like form for purposes presently to be set forth.

It will be understood that, owing to the inelasticity of the fabric, it is impossible to provide a cover formed of triangularly designed gores, which are cut on the bias and caused to assume the usual form by stretching when the top is raised. ticity ofthe fabric, the gores are given the Shield-like form with indented margins 5 which are to lic along the periphery of the finished top, and the overlapping sides of the gores are formed along a slightly outwardly On account of the inelasstick so as to raise and lower the cover.

with an adhesive material.

bowed line so that the top will assume a domelike form when held tant.

As has previously been explained, one of the objects of this invention is to provide a cheap umbrella which is to be used for emergency purposes, the umbrella being sold at a moderate price and being intended to protect the user only on one or two occasions. I preferably form the cover, therefore, of treated paper and desire to eliminate the usual frame construction in which there is provided a plurality of ribs supports: by stretchers near their middle points, the other end of these stretchers being attached to a runner which may be moved along the To this end I have provided a construction in which there are used ribs formed of steel wire of such size and composition as to have a slight amount of elasticity. These ribs are to be incorporated in the top when the latter is formed of the united gores, and to this end I provide a form similar to thatof the extended top on which the gores are to be laid with their edges overlying.

As I have explaihed, the ribs are to be united to the top along their entire length and I show two methods by which such a mou'nting for the ribs may be provided. In the method illustrated in Figure 8 I have found it desirable, in some instanees, to lay the wire 6, as has been explained, between strips 7 and 8 made of paper coated withan adhesive material. The wire 6 is laid cen trally of these strips, which are then united so as to provide the construction shown in Figure 8. It will there be noted that the upper strip of paper 7 is laid flat, while the strip 8 has a portion 9 which extends about The wire provided with its paper the wire. coating is then cut off in such lengths as may be desired, in accordance with the size of the top which is to be used.

The rib, which may be designated as 10, is then laid in the required position en the form, and the upper surface of the strip 9 is coated One of the gores 11 (see Figure 9) is then laid with its marginal edge overlying the strip 7, being united thereto by the adhesive material. The adjacent gore 12 is then united along its marginal edge to the upper surface of the gore 11, and this process is repeated until there is formed a unitary structure composed of a plurality of gores, along the united margins of which are provided ribs formed after the manner illustrated in Figure 8.

I have found that, by providing ribs encased in paper strips, it is possible to use a light paper for cover purposes. However, it is possible in many instances, to omit the re inforcing strips illustrated in Figure 8 and to construct the top by laying a gore as 11 on the form (see Figure 10) thenplacing the wire ribs in position along the marginal edge of the gore and uniting the adjacent edge of the gore 12 in overlying position en the gore 11, the rib 6 being held in position along this line of union and between the edges of the .g0res.

Either construction is suitable for the purpose, or else I may reinforce the edge of one gore, as, for i1istance, the gore 11, by pasting thereon a strip of pa er similar to that illus trate-d in Figure 8. 'Fhe rib is then to be held between the paper and the united edges of the gores, the paper simply providing an additional reinforcement.

It is clear that there must be provided a edges of the cover and will lie closely adjacent the surface of the stick.

In order to mount the top on the stick, I use a construction in which the ends of the ribs are not pivotally attached to thestiek as is usually the case, To this end I provide a collar 15, which is crimped or otherwise fast ened to the stick at the required point. The stick with this collar in place is inserted through the aperture in the top, and there is then forced-over the outer end of the stick.

a second collar 16. The latter will be seen to have a relatively wide flared bendin se 7 that the marginal edge 17 will contact with the reinforcing member 13 at a pointa slight distance beyond the inner end of-the ribs.

In Figure 2 the relative position ofthe various parts is clearly set forth, but it will be understo0d that the collar 16 will be forced tightly in position before being firmly attached to the stick. In this way there is provided a Clamp by means of which the edges of the reinforcing members are helc in position relative to the stick.

As a modified form of construction for the purposes just described, I have found itsatisfactory to omit the collar 15, but to provide an outer collar 18 in the flared form, having its marginal edge 19 extending inwardly as illustrated in Figure 4. I then provide the ribs with turnedup ends 20, these ends being bent at a right angle and being so disposed that the ends project a sligh distance into the bell of the collar 18. When the top is extended, the ribs will keep the position illustrated in Figure 4, being forced outwardly by the stretchers, which will presently be scribed.

The reinforcing members 13 and 14 will thus hold the inner edges of the top firmly in position against the collar 18. VVhenthe top is collapsed,however, the"bent ends of tends a flange provided with a plurality of apertures, these apertures corresponding in number to the number of ribs; The runner is to be mounted on the stick and the central aperture therethrough will correspond to the diameter of the stick. apertures of the runner are a plurality of stretcher members 22, there being one for each rib. These stretcher members 22 are constructd of suitable wire and have a hook 28 on the end, which engages in the runner. At the Outer ends, the runners are provided with similar hooks 24 which are to engage in rings 25, which are mounted on the ribs. These rings, which are here illustrated simply as one convenient method for attaching the runners to the ribs, are formed of wire s0mewhat in the shape of a stirrup having a straight portion which is held between strips 26 and 27 of paper or some similar material, the strips 26 and 27 being then pasted, cemented or united in any other similar manner to the ribs at the desired point. The stick is provided with a customary stop member 28, against which therunner is to be held when the umbrella is opened, and there is also provided a spring catch 29 by which the umbrella may be held.

It will thus be seen that I have provided an umbrella of extremely inexpensive construction which is entirely satisfactory for the pi 3poses outlined. As has been set forth, the top may be formed with the ribs integrally disposed therein and this top may be readily mounted in place on the stick and the stretchers attached thereafter.

Under Ordinary circumstances, it is customary to provide a frame having a plurality of ribs which are permanently attached to the stick and the top is supported on and attached to these ribs. I have eliminated this feature of umbrella construction and have provided a device which may be constructed with a pager top which is thoroughly satisfactory for protection against rain.

I have found that the rib and stretcher construction herein set forth will be strong enough to withstand any wind pressure to.

which the usual form of umbrella may be e: posed furthermore, the umbrella may be constructed with the elimination of a great many manufacturing steps which results in high labor costs.

While I have illustrated various methods of mounting the ribs in the cover and also Positioned in the of mounting the cover on the stick, it is to be here put forward primarily for purposes of illustration.

It is obvious that other constructions are possible coming within the broad idea of disposing the ribs within the top and holding the top in place on the stick without permanent attachment of the ribs to the stick. It is my desire, therefore, that the constructions shown may be considered merely illus rative and not in a limiting sense, and the scope of the protection desired is set forth in the following claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. As an article of manufacture, an umbrella provided with a top coinposed of a plurality of gores of substantially inelastic material united along their adjacent edges and provided with a plurality of metallic reinforcing ribs encased in reinforcing strips of relatively stifl and rigid material as compared with a textile fabric, and fastened to said top along the line of union of said gores.

2. An umbrella of the class described comprising, in combination, a stick having a pair of spaced collars disposed near one end thereof, a top comprising a plurality of gores of relatively stifi' and rigid material so joined as to provide definite elongate pockets along the lines ofunion of said gores, said top being also provided with a plurality of reinforcing members permaneritly secured in said pockets, said top when thus constructed having a central aperture, and annular reinforcing members disposed on either face of said top about said aperture, said stick projecting through the aperture in the said top, and said annular reinforcing members being held between said collars.

3. An umbrella of the class described comprising, in combination, a stick, a cover having a plurality of reinforcing ribs disposed therein, said ribs carrying loops immediate their ends, stretcher means connected to said loops whereby to raise said cover, and means to hold said cover on said stick, the ends of said reinforcing ribs adj acent said stick being free of said stick.

4. An umbrella of the class described comprising, in combination, a stick, a top constructed of a plurality of gores provided with metallic reinforcing ribs disposed along the lines of union thereof, said reinforcing ribs being provided at their inward ends with bent portions, stretcher means mounted on said stick to raise and lower said top, and a bellshaped collar with inwardly extended edges mounted on said stick and having a portion adapted to engage the bent portions of said reinforcing ribs to prevent movement of said ribs radially of said stick when said top is reised and to prevent movement of said ribs longitudinally of said stick when said top is lowered.

An umbrella of thec1ess described comprising, in combination, a stick, a top formed of a phuniity of gores end having metallie reinforeing ribs disposed therein along the lines of union said gores, the inne1 ends of said ribs being bent et en angie, streteher means meunted on said stick end said ribs whereby to mise and lo ver said top, and a fiered c0i1e.r having an inwardiy bent margin structed of a plureiity of gores united along their ed acent edges, and hav ng metalhc r1bs d1sposed there1n along the hne of un1en of said g0res, the inner ends of said ribs being enguiarly bent, a p1ure1ity of stretchers havin g one end mounted in a runner 0n said stick, the other end being attached to said 1ibs, reinforcing members dsp0sed on either face of said top, and centreiy thereof, and. a fl&red collar disp0sed on said stick end having e portion ]ying in contact with one of said rein- 0rcing members and another p01ti0n engaging the bent ends of said ribs whereby to pre vent the movement of A said top along said stick.

In tes-timony whereof, I aflix my signature.

FRANK E. SINCERE. 

